Thursday, 10 November 2011

THE LITTLE CHAP WHO FOLLOWS ME

I should have posted this a week ago but permit me to still do it
today. Seven days ago was my son Samuel’s birthday. The occasion made me
reflect a lot. In three short years, the guy has taught me a lot. His birth and
his growth have revealed many sides of me that I did not know existed before. I
have become a better man all because of the privilege God gave me to father
this “young man”.

I remembered that evening when he was born. I held him in my arms. The
tiny bundle that he was, I wondered, “This is a human being, right from my very
own loins.” God indeed, is awesome. When I called his grandfather, (my dad, of
course, what do you think?) I cried on the phone. My voice broke and I wept. At
last I’d become a father! The reality of the privilege and responsibility
dawned on me and in that moment I couldn’t hold back the tears.

A boy we (my wife and I, of course) had prayed for. And a boy God had
given us. He was a true answer to prayer. So we named him Samuel – “For him we had prayed”. How the boy
taught me to pray. Or rather, I should say, he made me pray; the waiting period
for his coming, his conception, his delivery, his first few weeks, the first
year, boy, did I pray? And I’m still praying. And growing, and knowing God
better as a result. That, I won’t trade for anything in the world!

He is my protégé, my friend, my playmate. And true to God’s Word, he is
the beginning of my strength, the excellence of dignity and the excellence of
power! As I reflect on this anniversary of his birth, this poem just about
summarizes my sentiments.

A careful man I want to be,

A little fellow follows me;

I do not dare to go astray

For fear he’ll go the
self-same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes.

Whate’er he sees me do he
tries.

Like ME he says he’s going
to be –

That little chap who follows
me.

I must remember as I go

Through summer suns and
winter snows,

I am building for the years
to be –

That little chap who follows
me.

To you, Samuel AanuOluwalofifunmi Oluwadamilola IyeOluwadamayo, Daddy,
Mummy and Joyce will always love you. We are proud of you and we bless God for
your life today and we celebrate you. You will grow up before the Lord and go
forth like the calf of the stall, in Jesus’ name! Happy
Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!